Man Arrested Following Fatal Kooragang Crash

 BY OLI GOELDNER

A third driver has come forward following a fatal two-vehicle crash at Kooragang this morning. 

At about 9.25am, emergency services were called to Cormorant Road, following reports of a crash.

At the scene, police were told a sedan and van had collided head-on in the northbound lanes. 

NSW Ambulance paramedics assisted the two occupants of the sedan; however, they died at the scene. 

They are yet to be formally identified. 

The driver of the van was treated at the scene for minor injuries, and taken to John Hunter Hospital for assessment and mandatory testing. 

Following the crash, at 9.45am, a 42-year-old man attended Waratah Police Station allegedly reporting he was involved in the crash. 

The man was arrested and taken to John Hunter Hospital for mandatory testing. 

He stated he was not in either of the vehicles, with his involvement in the crash still being investigated by Newcastle City Police with assistance by the Crash Investigation Unit. 

As inquiries continue, police urge anyone with information or dashcam footage to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

CCTV Footage Released of Thornton Business Fire

BY OLI GOELDNER

Detectives are appealing for information after a suspicious fire at a Thornton business last week. 

At about 1.05am on Tuesday 10 February, emergency services were called to the business on the New England Highway, following reports of a fire. 

Fire and Rescue NSW crews brought the fire under control and extinguished the blaze.  

The building sustained minimal structural damage; however, large amounts of stock were destroyed, and a cash register was stolen.

Police attached to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene and commenced inquiries into the fire.

The men are depicted in the CCTV wearing dark clothing and balaclavas, and are believed to have left the area in a light-coloured hatchback.

One of the men is seen leaving the area with the lower half of his body engulfed in flames.

Police believe the man might have suffered burns following the incident.

As inquiries into the incident continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Federal MPs Slam Origin Over Myuna Deal

 BY OLI GOLEDNER

Hunter MP Dan Repacholi is slamming Origin Energy for their "lowball" contract offer to Myuna Colliery. 

The coal mine has been supplying exclusively to Eraring Power Station for more than 40 years. 

But, a lapse in contract will likely see the facility shut its doors in March. 

Origin Energy, the owner of Eraring Power Station, proposed a new 12 month extension of the mines operations, maintaining their current agreements. 

However, Myuna owner Centennial Coal refused the deal, stating it was not commercially viable as the mine is already running at a loss. 

The contract also provided little to no certainty to the mine's more than 300 employees, according to the Mining and Energy Union. 

Hunter MP Dan Repacholi has since voiced his support of Centennial Coal and the union's decision. 

"Origin's offer... was disgraceful," he said.

"It was a spin, not a solution.

"A short-term, take-it-or-leave-it proposal that provides no certainty for workers, their families or the local community is not good enough." 

It comes after Origin announced operations at Eraring would continue until 2029, instead of it's initial closing date in 2027. 

Mr Repacholi said it's not viable to have the power station running without the mine. 

"Myuna was built to supply Eraring, there is no alternative market," he explained. 

"If Origin walks away, this mine closes and that is a deliberate commercial choice, not an unavoidable part of the energy transition.

"The Hunter deserves better than corporate spin." 

Mining and Energy Union Northern Mining & NSW Energy District President Robin Williams. 

Fears Held For Missing Teenager In Lake Macquarie

 

BY IAN CROUCH

 Police are asking for help to find a teenager who's gone missing in the Lake Macquarie area.

14-year-old Jai Winters was last seen at Bolton Point on Monday night.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare due to his age.

Jai is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 155cm tall with a thin build, black hair and brown eyes.

He was last seen wearing pyjama pants, no shirt and red and back Nike TN shoes.

Jai is known to frequent the Teralba and Bolton Point areas.
 

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crimes Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Have you seen Jai Winters?

 

 

 

Kitchen Destroyed After Raymond Terrace House Fire

 BY JJ PILLAY 

A fire's damaged a kitchen in a Raymond Terrace home overnight.

At about 9pm emergency services were called concerning the blaze in Vogele Place. Six trucks and over twenty five firefighters arrived at the home finding the kitchen lit inside the single level residence. 

The property was searched to ensure there was no one in the home and crews brought the blaze under control within twenty minutes. 

NSW Police, NSW Ambulance and NSW RFS attended.

Unattended cooking items is the leading cause of house fires statewide and firefighters are urging locals to implement smoke alarms and to test them regularly.

Hunter Valley Police on Hunt for Missing Birds

By Nicole Creen

Hunter Valley police are currently investigating reports birds have been stolen from a pet shop in Branxton.

Last week, thirteen birds went missing over two separate robberies on Wednesday, January 15 and Friday, January 17.

Five white Fantail pigeons, three superb parrots, four eclectus parrots and one king parrot are included in those missing.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Singleton Police or Crime Stoppers.

Credit: Hunter Valley Police District

Credit: Hunter Valley Police District

Man Charged With Animal Cruelty Offences Which Allegedly Occurred At Singleton

BY JORDAN REGNIS

A man who owns a property neighbouring the Singleton army base has been charged with animal cruelty offences.

On October 8, 98 dead kangaroos were found on the army base, along with an ammunition box and two cartridges.

Following inquiries police executed a search warrant at a property in Williamtown around 8am on Friday.

Officers seized three firearms and arrested a 43-year-old man who was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station.

He was charged with six offences including committing an act of aggravated cruelty upon on an animal; discharging a firearm upon/over Commonwealth prohibited area; trespassing onto Commonwealth land; not keeping a firearm safely; harming or attempting to harm a protected animal; and holder of Category A or B licence not having approved storage.

Police have since seized a number of firearms from a property neighboring the army base.

The man's been granted strict conditional bail to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court on January 13.

                 One of the firearms allegedly seized by police. Picture by NSW Police

Images Released As Part Of Investigation Into Two Armed Robberies In Newcastle

BY JORDAN REGNIS

A police investigation is underway following two armed robberies in Newcastle which officers believe are linked.

At about 5:40am last Tuesday a man believed to be with a firearm entered a business on Glebe Road at Adamstown and demanded cash, with police told he left without any.

On Thursday last week a man entered a service station in New Lambton.

About 1:30am officers were called to the 7-Eleven on Turton Road, where they were told a man allegedly threatened an employee with a weapon, before leaving with cash.

As part of their investigation police have released two images of a man they wish to speak with.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance and when last seen he was wearing a hooded black jumper with his face covered, and black pants.

                                    

                              Images released as part of police investigation.
 

Appeal For Information Following Fire At Lake Macquarie Council's Administration Centre

BY JORDAN REGNIS

Police have released a CCTV image of two people they wish to speak with following an alleged arson attack at Lake Macquarie Council's Administration Centre last month.

About 3:50am on Wednesday 27 November, emergency services were called to the building on Main Road, Speers Point, following reports of a fire.

Fire and Rescue NSW crews worked to extinguish the blaze; however, the building sustained extensive damage with repairs estimated to cost several million dollars.

Inquiries by strike force detectives have established that two persons were in the vicinity of the council building at the time of the incident.

Anyone able to identify the persons, or with information or dashcam footage from the area between 2am and 4:30am on Wednesday 27 November is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

                              The CCTV image: Picture by NSW Police

Mandate From The Federal Government Could See Hunter Businesses Required To Accept Cash for Essential Goods

BY JACK SEYMOUR

Hunter businesses could soon be required to accept cash for essential items like fuel and groceries.

It comes as the Federal Government moves to begin consultation on the mandate before the end of the year, while also planning to phase out cheques by 2029.

While still legal tender, there's currently no legislative requirement for businesses to accept cash as payment.

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes says mandating the use of cash could be seen as inconvenient for some businesses, despite the benefits for older generations.

"It's just not convenient to be handling cash these days and those costs need to be considered.

"It could be seen as an overreach by some and in other cases it is a defensive mechanism which I can understand, particularly in the case of older people who are used to using cash and do not want to entertain the prospect of entering the digital market for their transactions."

House Destroyed By Fire At Aberdare

BY JORDAN REGNIS 

Three people have been saved from a fire that has destroyed a home at Aberdare.

The blaze broke out just after 9.00 am on Friday morning in the large single-story residence on Greta Street.

More than 30 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters and 10 fire trucks responded to multiple Triple Zero (000) calls to the home on fire.

Upon arrival, FRNSW crews found the house fully engulfed with fire, with large volumes of smoke issuing from the property.

Firefighters quickly got to work to extinguish the blaze but were forced to withdraw to a safer position after the roof collapsed.

Investigations will continue to determine the cause of the fire. 

                                      Picture by Peter Lorimer

Search For Man Missing From The Hunter Valley

BY JORDAN REGNIS

A multi-agency search is underway to locate a man missing from the Hunter Valley.

Keith Banks, aged 81, was last seen leaving a home on Stewarts Road, Woolooma, about 1pm on Monday.

Police and family hold serious concerns for his welfare due to him living with dementia and requires medicatication.

Inquiries reveal he went to a service station at Gundy about 1:30pm on Monday before driving away.

Following inquiries his dark grey Honda Civic sedan was found bogged in bushland about 4pm yesterday.

A land search began at 8am today at Upper Rouchel in the Upper Hunter.

Local police are being assisted by Police Rescue, PolAir and the NSW State Emergency Service.

Anyone with information into Keith's whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

                                                                   Keith Banks

BREAKING! 4.1 Magnitude Earthquake Recorded In Muswellbrook

BY JORDAN REGNIS

A 4.1 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Muswellbrook a little after 1pm today.

The quake has caused more than 2500 homes and businesses to lose power in Muswellbrook, Denman, Jerry's Plains, Bureen and Bengalla.

Ausgrid crews have been working to restore power which is expected to be back up and running by 2:30pm.

Today's quake comes after a 4.8 magnitude earthquake saw thousands lose power in Muswellbrook on August 23.

                             Picture GeoScience Australia

Missing Man From Taree

BY JORDAN REGNIS 

Newcastle Police have commenced inquiries into a man reported missing from Taree and are calling for public assistance to help find him.

22-year-old Izayah Paulson was last seen in Taree about 1pm on Saturday.

He's described as being of Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 170cm tall with a thin build, brown hair and brown eyes.

He has a tattoo with the word 'Paulson' down his spine and another one with the letters VL on his left hand.

Police believe Izayah may be in the Taree or Wingham areas.

Anyone with information into his whereabouts is urged to contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Fifth Man Charged Over Alleged Kidnapping At Rutherford

BY JORDAN REGNIS

Police have charged a fifth man over his alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a man at Rutherford earlier this year.

On February 28, police located a 38-year-old man near Greta suffering serious injuries.

He was treated by paramedics before being taken to Maitland Hospital for the treatment of facial injuries, bruising, lacerations, and a stab wound to his leg.

Police allege that the man was forced into a vehicle in the Rutherford area on February 27, before he was taken to a premises in Metford where he was allegedly drugged and assaulted, before later being released.

Following extensive inquiries three men - aged 26, 35 and 53 - were charged over their alleged involvement and remain before the courts.

A fourth man, aged 32, was also charged; however, no longer remains before the courts.

Following further inquiries by police, a fifth man was arrested on Main Road, Cardiff, about 3.40pm yesterday.

The 29-year-old was taken to Belmont Police Station where he was charged with kidnap in company with intent.

He remains behind bars after being refused bail during his appearance in Belmont Local Court today.

                                           

CCTV footage released earlier this year as part of a public appeal for information. Picture supplied by NSW Police

Picture supplied by NSW Police

Anthony Albanese and Chris Minns announce TAFE Centre of Excellence in Newcastle

By HOLLY FISHLOCK

More than $60 million will be invested by the state and federal government's over the next five years for the Hunter Net Zero Manufacturing Centre of Excellence.

The Centre will be established at the TAFE NSW campus at Tighes Hill, and will look to boost the workforce needed to support the renewable energy industry in the Hunter and across the state.

Once up and running the centre will have a training capacity of approximately 450 students annually.

It will provide education and apprenticeships in renewable energy, offshore wind, hydrogen, and related manufacturing fields for the region's workforce.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says there needs to be a plan for the future.

"It's important we invest in new industries, and that we invest in the capacity of workers to be able to fill jobs in those industries."

Meanwhile, NSW Premier Chris Minns says it's important young people have the skills needed to participate in the renewable energy industry.

"We all see an exciting opportunity for the next generation, right here in Newcastle."

The launch of the facility comes after an advanced manufacturing centre of excellence was announced for Western Sydney.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announcing the Centre of Excellence

$500,000 Dollar Reward For Information Into The Death Of A Waratah Woman

BY JORDAN REGNIS 

A $500,000 reward has been announced for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person/s responsible for the suspicious death of Cecilia Devine.

Cecilia Devine, who was also known as Kristen Pearson, was 41 when she was reported missing from Waratah on Wednesday 5 September 2018, after family and friends were unable to locate or contact her.

Officers attached to Newcastle City Police District immediately commenced inquiries to locate Cecilia; however, their searches were unsuccessful.

On Monday 18 March 2019, staff at a water treatment facility in Katoomba located human remains in the nearby Upper Cascade Creek Dam. 

In April 2019, police were advised the remains were that of Cecilia Devine.

Commander of Blue Mountains Police Area Command, Superintendent John Nelson, said he hoped this reward announcement would encourage anyone to come forward who may have seen Cecilia.

“Prior to her disappearance, Cecilia travelled from Newcastle to Katoomba yet we still don’t have firm evidence of how she got here, why she made the journey, or how she died,” Supt Nelson said.

“We are urging anyone who saw Cecilia at the time she was reported missing, or who has any information about her whereabouts at the time, to contact police. This information could very well be the missing puzzle piece for this investigation.

“Today’s coronial findings have handed the investigation back to police and we are committed to find the answers the NSW community and Cecilia’s family deserve,” he said.

                                                                        

                                                                    Cecilia Devine

Police Release CCTV Images Following Assault At Shoal Bay

BY JORDAN REGNIS

Police have released CCTV images as they continue to investigate an assault at Shoal Bay.

They're calling on the public to help identify two females, following the incident on Sunday, July 28.

Anyone with information is urged to contact crime stoppers: 1800 333 000.

Teenage Girl Missing From Muswellbrook

BY JORDAN REGNIS

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a teenager missing from Muswellbrook.

Alea Picket, aged 14, was last seen on Ford Street, Muswellbrook, about 12.30am yesterday (Thursday 10 October 2024).

Police hold concerns for her welfare due to her young age.

Alea is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm-170cm tall, of thin build, with blonde hair brown eyes.

She is known to frequent the Muswellbrook area.

Anyone with information into her whereabouts is urged to contact Hunter Valley Police District or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

                                                                           

                                                                     Alea Picket

                                                                

CCTV released in investigation into storage shed break-ins

BY JORDAN REGNIS

Police have released CCTV images of two men they believe were involved in multiple break-ins at storage sheds at Morisset last week.

Two men broke into 12 storage units after entering a facility on Advantage Drive last Wednesday (September 25).

Anyone with information which may help identify them is being urged to contact crime stoppers.